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OPINION: Training Isn’t The Problem — Ratios Are

OPINION: Training Isn’t The Problem — Ratios Are New!

The recent announcement by Minister for Education Jason Clare that childcare centres will receive funding to close early for mandatory child safety training. But let’s be clear—child protection training is not new. Educators already undertake annual courses and ongoing professional…
The Day the Sector Stopped: Why Early Childhood Educators Can’t Be an Afterthought

The Day the Sector Stopped: Why Early Childhood Educators Can’t Be an Afterthought New!

In the quiet hum of a weekday morning, something felt off. Preschool doors opened, but classrooms remained silent. No greetings. No redirection. No educators. And suddenly, the world felt the consequences. This wasn’t a strike. It was a reckoning. Early…
Policy Reform Watch: What Group Size Caps Could Mean for Quality Care

Policy Reform Watch: What Group Size Caps Could Mean for Quality Care New!

In early childhood education, numbers matter. Ratios often dominate policy debates, but group size, the total number of children in a room, can be just as critical. As policymakers revisit standards, group size caps are emerging as a safeguard for…
Defining the Role of a 2IC in Early Childhood Services

Defining the Role of a 2IC in Early Childhood Services New!

In early childhood education, leadership is not just about titles; it’s about responsibility, trust, and the ability to step in when needed. One role that often sparks discussion is the Second-in-Charge (2IC). What does this position really mean, and how…
Understanding the Difference: Raising Your Voice vs Yelling

Understanding the Difference: Raising Your Voice vs Yelling New!

Children experience adult communication not just through words, but through tone, emotional energy, facial expression, and body language. Two interactions may be equally loud, yet feel completely different to a child. Understanding this distinction is essential for safeguarding, trauma‑informed practice,…
Q: Is Anything Wrong With Using Stencils As Part Of Children's Art and Craft Experiences

Q: Is Anything Wrong With Using Stencils As Part Of Children's Art and Craft Experiences New!

A: While stencils can sometimes support fine motor skills and tracing practice, the EYLF and NQS place a strong emphasis on child‑directed, open‑ended experiences that nurture creativity, agency, and authentic expression. This means the real issue isn’t whether stencils are…
Why Children’s Art Should Never Look the Same

Why Children’s Art Should Never Look the Same New!

In early childhood settings across the country, you can walk into a room and instantly tell what kind of art culture lives there. Sometimes you see walls lined with identical paper plate animals, each one carefully guided by an adult…
Opinion: 70,000 Students in Training, but 21,000 Educators Missing – Australia’s ECE Paradox

Opinion: 70,000 Students in Training, but 21,000 Educators Missing – Australia’s ECE Paradox New!

Australia’s Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector is facing a crisis that numbers alone cannot explain. On paper, more than 70,000 students are enrolled in early childhood qualifications across the country. Yet services report a shortfall of 21,000 qualified…
Gratitude Songs To Sing Before Meal Times In Early Childhood

Gratitude Songs To Sing Before Meal Times In Early Childhood New!

Gratitude songs before meals are more than just cheerful tunes; they’re rituals that nurture mindfulness, community, and appreciation in young children. By singing together, children learn to pause, acknowledge the effort behind their food, and celebrate the connections between nature,…
Educator Yearly Room Changes: Supporting Children or Disrupting Continuity?

Educator Yearly Room Changes: Supporting Children or Disrupting Continuity?

In early childhood education, the practice of moving educators to new rooms each year is common. Some services see it as a way to keep things fresh, while others worry it disrupts continuity for children. So, are yearly room changes…
Q: Are We Allowed To Braid Children's Hair/Let Children Braid Our Hair At Our Service?

Q: Are We Allowed To Braid Children's Hair/Let Children Braid Our Hair At Our Service?

A: Something as simple as a child asking to braid an educator’s hair—or children braiding each other’s can spark important questions about connection, trust, and professional boundaries. For many, braiding is more than a playful activity; it is a gesture…
Outdoor Play in Hot Weather: Balancing Safety and Children’s Right to Play

Outdoor Play in Hot Weather: Balancing Safety and Children’s Right to Play

Outdoor play is vital for children’s well-being, offering opportunities for physical activity, exploration, and connection with nature. In Australia, however, educators face a unique challenge: how to balance children’s right to outdoor play with the risks of extreme heat and…
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